Time To Take Your Medicine

A routine doctor’s visit can sometimes lead to needing a prescription to treat specific symptoms. Prescription medication can also be lifesaving for millions of Americans fighting chronic illnesses. Yet, taking medication can be a difficult, stressful, and burdensome task. Close to 70% of Americans use prescription medication. However, almost 50% struggle with medication adherence, which is taking the correct dosage consistently. For many patients, the consequences of missing prescriptions can be severe. With compounding, there is a chance to close the gap and improve medication adherence for good.

Who struggles with adherence?

There are several reasons for missing medication as prescribed. On a basic level, some patients have busy lives or just forget. Cost can be another factor as medicine prices are on the rise. If the patient cannot afford the medicine, then adherence is impossible. Patients with multiple prescriptions, sometimes called polypharmacy, are at risk of missing doses for both reasons. Some patients avoid prescription drugs due to unwanted side effects, difficulties swallowing, or trouble with directions.

Risks of missing a dose

Missing the occasional dose happens. At that point, a doctor or pharmacist can advise on the next steps. However, consistently missing medications has several unwanted consequences. First, there is the chance of worsening symptoms or a deteriorating condition. This could mean more trips to the doctor or emergency room. Some drugs have a short shelf life, so missing doses means the patient can waste the prescription, increasing costs. To avoid a life-threatening situation, all patients should aim to take medicines consistently.

Bring it together

Pharmacists often suggest compounding to counteract the common issues of medication adherence. Compounding has been around for decades and is a powerful tool. The process takes raw ingredients or multiple medications to create a single-use form. Then, the pharmacist can adjust this medicine to suit the patient’s specific needs. Some pharmacists specialize in compounding for dermatology or fertility. Compounding has been growing in popularity as not all patients can use generic or brand-name medicines on the market.

Compounding benefits

If the medicine is already available via a pharmacist, why use compounding? For starters, compounding is one of the best ways to address medication adherence. The pharmacist can change the formula from solid to liquid or topical form. This change helps patients with difficulty swallowing or unpleasant side effects. A simple change in medication type can motivate patients to stay consistent. Compounding can also remove fillers, oils, and dyes that cause allergic reactions. Best of all, the pharmacist may be able to combine multiple medicines or create drugs that are no longer on the market.

Make missed doses a thing of the past

During medication reviews, most patients express challenges in taking prescriptions consistently. Regardless of the reason, poor medication adherence can lead to worsening symptoms or more severe complications. The right guidance and counseling on proper medication use can help. However, compounding can provide an added boost by formulating medicine the patient is willing to take.